Thus were the one Veto cunningly eluded!

As indeed the other Veto, about Priests, is also like to be eluded;
and without much cunning. For Provincial Assemblies, in Calvados as
one instance, are proceeding on their own strength to judge and banish
Antinational Priests. Or still worse without Provincial Assembly,
a desperate People, as at Bourdeaux, can 'hang two of them on the
Lanterne,' on the way towards judgment. (Hist. Parl. xvi. 259.) Pity for
the spoken Veto, when it cannot become an acted one!

It is true, some ghost of a War-minister, or Home-minister, for the
time being, ghost whom we do not name, does write to Municipalities and
King's Commanders, that they shall, by all conceivable methods, obstruct
this Federation, and even turn back the Federes by force of arms: a
message which scatters mere doubt, paralysis and confusion; irritates
the poor Legislature; reduces the Federes as we see, to thin streaks.
But being questioned, this ghost and the other ghosts, What it is then
that they propose to do for saving the country?--they answer, That
they cannot tell; that indeed they for their part have, this morning,
resigned in a body; and do now merely respectfully take leave of the
helm altogether. With which words they rapidly walk out of the Hall,
sortent brusquement de la salle, the 'Galleries cheering loudly,' the
poor Legislature sitting 'for a good while in silence!' (Moniteur,
Seance du Juillet 1792.) Thus do Cabinet-ministers themselves, in
extreme cases, strike work; one of the strangest omens. Other complete
Cabinet-ministry there will not be; only fragments, and these changeful,
which never get completed; spectral Apparitions that cannot so much as
appear! King Louis writes that he now views this Federation Feast with
approval; and will himself have the pleasure to take part in the same.

And so these thin streaks of Federes wend Parisward through a paralytic
France. Thin grim streaks; not thick joyful ranks, as of old to the
first Feast of Pikes! No: these poor Federates march now towards Austria
and Austrian Committee, towards jeopardy and forlorn hope; men of hard
fortune and temper, not rich in the world's goods. Municipalities,
paralyzed by War-ministers are shy of affording cash: it may be,
your poor Federates cannot arm themselves, cannot march, till the
Daughter-Society of the place open her pocket, and subscribe. There will
not have arrived, at the set day, Three thousand of them in all. And